An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Standing Deity Holding Horn and Bucket1st century
painting on white ground
33 3/4 x 18 1/2 in. (85.73 x 46.99 cm)
Fresco
Italy
1st century
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Rubin
In the heart of ancient Pompeii, a thriving city nestled in southern Italy, life once flowed like the vibrant colors that adorned its walls. Here, amidst bustling marketplaces and lively homes, the warmth of family and tradition thrived until the fateful day in A.D. 79 when Mount Vesuvius, a restless neighbor, erupted and cast a shroud of destruction over the city. The echoes of laughter faded into silence, but the stories of those who lived there would not vanish—they were preserved in time, waiting to be rediscovered.
It wasn’t until 1748 that the world began to unveil the secrets hidden beneath layers of ash. Among the treasures of this excavation was a stunning fragment of wall painting, a glimpse into the sacred life of Pompeii's households. This piece, rescued from the wreckage of time, reveals a figure that embodies the very essence of family—a Lar, a Roman ancestral god worshiped as the guardian of home and hearth.
Imagine this divine figure standing with grace, his posture inviting and protective, a symbol of safety amidst chaos. In his hand, he holds a drinking horn and a wine bucket, traditional offerings that speak of festivity and abundance, while his short, swirling cloak billows slightly as if caught in a gentle breeze. It is believed that he was once part of a larger mural, a horizontal expanse that told a grand story within a lararium, the dedicated shrine where families honored their deities.
The artistry of Pompeii reflected the richness of its culture. The inner walls of its homes were canvases of vibrancy, painted with the skillful technique of fresco—where pigments derived from minerals, plants, and even animals danced together upon moist plaster. As the lime dried beneath them, the colors became one with the walls, a permanent testament to the life and beliefs of those who once inhabited these spaces.
Here lies the fragment, a peaceful remnant of a bustling civilization, echoing with the whispers of lives lived and losses endured, offering a touching reminder of the importance of family and the eternal guardians that watch over us all.
About the artist
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